Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as “bird flu,” is a highly contagious and often fatal virus affecting wild birds and domestic poultry. The risk of avian influenza to humans is low. Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website to read more.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources considers the following birds to be at the highest risk of contracting HPAI:
- Waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans)
- Waterbirds (loons, grebes, coots, pelicans, shorebirds, or wading birds like egrets, herons, cranes)
- Birds of prey (owls, hawks, falcons, etc.- especially bald eagles)
- Avian scavengers (crows, ravens, gulls, vultures)
Symptoms in birds: Neurological signs in birds may include swimming or walking in circles, moving the head in a “jerky” motion, seizing, twitching, lethargy, and holding the neck and head in an unusual position. Unfortunately, a symptom can also be sudden death. Some high-risk species, like ducks and geese, may not show any symptoms.
Injured birds: If you’ve found a bird that appears grounded and/or injured, visit our injured bird resource to determine if they really need help and what to do if you need to bring them into the wildlife rehabilitation center.
Baby birds: If you’ve found a baby bird that you suspect is orphaned, visit our orphaned bird resource to learn how to reunite the baby with its parents or how to keep it safe until you are able to contact us.
If you have found a bird you feel is in need of human intervention, please call 414-431-6204 first before coming to WHS.
Outside of our open hours:
Keep the bird in a well-ventilated but securely closed container like a cardboard box with air holes. Keep the box in a dark, quiet, warm place away from pets and human interaction, such as a garage or shed. Please call us at 414-431-6204 and leave a voice message detailing your situation. A staff member will return your call as soon as they are able during open hours.
If you found a bird outside of Milwaukee, Racine, or Ozaukee County, please call the DNR Wildlife Response Hotline at 608-267-0866. This number may be slower to respond on the weekends, or CLICK HERE for the Wisconsin Wildlife Rehabilitators Directory.
